The 2012 NFL season is coming to an end, and the off-season will almost immediately include a plethora of maneuvering toward the following year, so we might as well get an early start from the top.
The tyrant Bill Parcells once said "they want you to cook the dinner; at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries." So, why not analyze the groceries he brought in?
On December 19th, 2007, it was first reported that Parcells had come to terms with the Dolphins, who then hired his pupil Jeff Ireland as general manager. The new front office under Parcells then signed over 20 little-known players in the free-agent market. However, they also released fan favorite Zach Thomas and refused to give the time of day to star defensive end Jason Taylor.
Here is a look at the drafts that Bill Parcells, as executive vice president of football operations, admitted to having the final word and ultimate say to.
Bill Parcells 2008 draft
1. Jake Long OT, Starter
2. Phillip Merling DE
2. Chad Henne QB
3. Kendall Langford DT
4. Shawn Murphy OG
6. Jalen Parmele RB
6. Donald Thomas OG
6. Lex Hilliard FB
7. Lionel Dotson DT
They also signed undrafted free agents in kicker Dan Carpenter and slot receiver Davone Bess, both starters.
Parcells 2009 draft
1. Vontae Davis CB
2. Pat White QB
2. Sean Smith CB, Starter
3. Patrick Turner WR
4. Brian Hartline WR, Starter
5. John Nalbone TE
5. Chris Clemons S, Starter
6. Andrew Gardner OT
7. J.D. Folsom OLB
The "chef's pantry", for starters, has four main courses (starters) out of 18 selections in Sean Smith, Brian Hartline, Chris Clemons, and all-pro, yet injury-prone left tackle Jake Long (rather than Quarterback Matt Ryan).
"Former Dolphins boss Bill Parcells took full blame for the 2009 second-round selection of West Virginia quarterback Pat White and admitted that Michigan tackle Jake Long was selected over Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan because he believed the lineman to be a safer pick in an edition of Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback)."Above per the Sun Sentinel
Parcells: “We violated our principles,” in reference to picking White. “He just wasn’t a prototypical quarterback pick. He was a great college player, and we let that color our judgment.” Parcells thought that White had the potential to be a game-changing player in the wildcat offense, but looking back on it, he thinks the Dolphins should have been looking for a pro-style passer, not an all-purpose athlete. When asked if the Dolphins should have picked QB Matt Ryan instead of offensive tackle Jake Long in 2008, Parcells said, “maybe, we should have.”Above per Pro Football Talk
Logic would suggest that as of the start of the 2010 off-season, Jeff Ireland took over the prospect evaluation previously held by Bill Parcells. He was also, most likely, behind the trading for wide receiver Brandon Marshall just prior to the 2010 Draft. This was the type of move that Parcells would never subscribe to, and from that point on he gradually backed away from his organizational duties over the following months.
On October 19th 2010 it was reported that
"Parcells has packed his bags and moved out of the Dolphins' offices. Miami knew this move was coming, but didn't realize his departure would happen so soon. Many around the league expected him to finish the season and then move on from the organization. Parcells worked a full schedule in his (December 2007 - December 2009) first two years with the team. He arrived early each day, watched practices from a golf cart, poured over film and offered players frequent feedback. That routine drastically diminished upon the early months of 2010 and ended entirely at the conclusion of the 2010 mini-camp, but he continued to attend some practices until September."Above per ESPN
Without Parcells, the day-to-day responsibilities fell upon general manager Jeff Ireland, and here are his drafts.
Jeff Ireland 2010 Draft
1. Jared Odrick DT, Starter
2. Koa Misi OLB, Starter
3. John Jerry OG, Starter
4. A.J. Edds OLB
5. Nolan Carroll CB, Starter
5. Reshad Jones S, Starter
7. Chris McCoy OLB
7. Austin Spitler OLB, Contributor
Ireland 2011 Draft
1. Mike Pouncey C Starter
2. Daniel Thomas RB Contributor with upside
4. Edmond Gates WR
6. Charles Clay FB Contributor with huge upside
7. Frank Kearse DT
7. Jimmy Wilson DB Contributor and sometimes starter
The specials for the day, on behalf of Jeff Ireland, include six current starters in Jared Odrick, Koa Misi, John Jerry, Nolan Carroll, Reshad Jones, and Mike Pouncey with four complimentary dishes in Austin Spitler, Daniel Thomas, Charles Clay, and Jimmy Wilson, which equates to 10 of 14 selections in two years on the current roster.
We will also compare the promising 2012 selections, which were selected to accommodate an entirely different head coach, scheme, and skill-set than the one that Jeff Ireland has been accustomed to during his entire career.
Plus, he landed a pro-style passer and athlete all in one!
Ireland 2012 Draft
Ryan Tannehill QB, Starter
Jonathan Martin OT, Starter
Olivier Vernon DE, strong contributor and eventual starter
Michael Egnew TE, on the roster
Lamar Miller RB, likely eventual starter
Josh Kaddu OLB, on the roster
B.J. Cunningham WR, on the practice squad
Kheeston Randall DT, contributor and possibly eventual starter
Rishard Matthews WR, contributor with upside
Jeff Ireland has accumulated eight starters and eight current contributors in his three official years of Dolphin drafts, while three other highly touted prospects also remain a part of the team. That equates to 19 of 23 overall Ireland selections that remain an intricate part of the Miami Dolphins.
To anyone who, under no circumstances, can take another day of Jeff Ireland I beg you. PLEASE be patient, as I am working on an alternative plan to follow shortly behind this pro-Ireland filled suggestion!
So for now, PLEASE ALLOW me to ask: how horrible has Jeff Ireland officially been?
THANK-YOU for an Open-Minded read, and we look forward to your angle of view : ) !!
GOFINS!!
